The Classical and Medieval Virtues
A chart of the intellectual, moral, and theological virtues, with their sources in Aristotle, Cicero, and Aquinas.
Intellectual • Moral (Cardinal + Parts) • Theological
I. INTELLECTUAL VIRTUES
(Perfecting the Mind — How We Know the Good)
| Virtue | Power Perfected | Domain | Function | Classical Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Understanding (Intellectus) | Intellect | First Principles | Grasping self-evident truths | Aristotle, Aquinas | Intuitive insight; foundation of all reasoning |
| Science (Scientia) | Intellect | Demonstration | Systematic, ordered knowledge | Aristotle, Aquinas | Builds proofs, arguments, disciplines |
| Wisdom (Sapientia) | Intellect | Highest Causes | Ordering all knowledge to ultimate ends | Aristotle, Aquinas | Integrative, philosophical, architectonic |
| Prudence (Prudentia) | Practical Reason | Action | Right reasoning about what to do | Aristotle, Aquinas | Bridge between knowing and acting |
| Art (Ars / Technē) | Practical Reason | Making | Right reasoning about production | Aristotle | Craft, technique, disciplined creation |
| Counsel (Euboulia) | Practical Reason | Deliberation | Weighing means to ends | Aquinas | Sub-virtue of prudence |
| Judgment (Synesis / Gnome) | Practical Reason | Particulars | Interpreting cases rightly | Aristotle, Aquinas | Ordinary and exceptional judgment |
II. THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES
(Perfecting the Soul’s Orientation — How We Are United to the Ultimate Good)
| Virtue | Power Perfected | Domain | Function | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faith | Intellect | Belief | Assent to divine truth | Illuminates prudence and understanding |
| Hope | Will | Future Good | Trust in divine fulfillment | Strengthens fortitude and temperance |
| Charity | Will (as loving) | Love | Loving God above all and neighbor in God | Form of all infused virtues |
III. THE CARDINAL VIRTUES UNITED WITH THE THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES
| Virtue | Domain | Function | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperance | The concupiscible appetite | Moderation of desires; self-master | |
| Fortitude | The irascible appetite | Courage in the face of difficulty; endurance | Form of all infused virtues |
| Prudence | Practical reason | Choosing the right means to the right end | Illuminates prudence and understanding |
| Justice | The will | Giving each person what is due; right relations | Strengthens fortitude and temperance |
| Faith | Belief | Assent to divine truth | Illuminate prudence and understanding |
| Hope | Future good | Trust in divine fulfillment | Strengthens fortitude and temperance |
| Love | The concupiscible appetite | Loving God above all and neighbor in God | Form of all infused virtues |